Episode Report Card Keckler: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Let That Be Your Last Bakulafield
By Keckler | Season 3 | Episode 12 | Aired on 01.13.2004
Enterprise approaches the other ship, which looks like a bug flying with its legs hanging down. Or what a flea looks like under a microscope. Reed reports that the Fleabag's life support has officially failed. "Take full security precautions -- make sure none of them are armed," Quantum orders. Reed looks surprised. Quantum, babe, that's not going to make up for how stupid you look for allowing them to run all over the ship later.
Sickbay. Phlox attends to the aliens. Quantum enters and asks how they are doing. "I am unable to perform detailed bio-scans," Phlox tells him. Quantum's confused. "They have an aversion to any kind of invasive medical care -- for, uh, 'religious' reasons," Phlox explains. So, they're followers of Mary Baker Eddy. Or they're hiding something. From what Phlox can tell, none of them are seriously hurt. Quantum notes the pruned-skin face of one of the Christalien Scientists and comments that they seem to be no strangers to the anomalies. From his comprehensive medical background and a distance of about twenty feet, he can tell it's an old scar. Maybe the guy just likes to take really long showers. Phlox says he found similar scars on the others, and adds that they've been in the sphere's neighborhood for several months. Quantum asks to see the captain. Phlox points him out, but says him he's not a captain, he's the "Pri'Nam," which is a religious designation. Quantum introduces himself to the Pri'Nam, who shakes his hand and says his name is something that sounds like that friend of Pokemon's: Digimon. Digimon explains they are on a pilgrimage to the 12th Sphere. Wow, is it Aprille already? I didn't even notice the showres soote or that the draught of March hath perced to the roote. Time flies when you're listening to the Wife of Bath tell her fart story. Quantum invites Digimon to break bread with him and T'Pol so they might share information about the spheres. Digimon is delighted to accept.
At dinner in the Captain's Mess -- if you didn't know I was talking about food or a extra-special private dining room, that would sound really gross -- Digimon explains about his home world, Triannon. Isn't that a garden at Versailles? These are some swanky Christalien Scientists! Quantum's never heard of it, and says they are new to The Expanse. Digimon is momentarily confused by this, until he realizes that what they call "The Expanse" is what he and his call the "Chosen Realm." Well, as long as he doesn't go off on a sceptered isle, seat of Mars, happy breed of men, or blessed plot, I think Reed will be okay with that name. To Digimon and his Digibuddies, the Chosen Realm is a bit like Valhalla. Digimon purports never to have met the Xindi, since the Christalien Scientists usually shun meeting other life-forms -- so intent they are on their religious endeavors. Digimon tells T'Pol and Quantum that they are there to venerate the spheres, which they believe are created by The Makers. The Christalien Scientists have even felt The Makers' presence there by the spheres. Digimon pulls up his sleeve and reveals his stigmata of puckered skin. T'Pol realizes he's referring to the spatial anomalies. "The Makers' Breath," Digimon croons, stroking his scar. "It reshapes reality. Allows ordinary men a glimpse of the divine." There's an uncomfortable silence at the table, which makes me concentrate on the actual table. Has it shrunk? Seems to me I remember it being bigger. Maybe the anomalies -- I'm sorry, The Makers -- got to it. Or maybe Quantum just lowered the leaves so they could be more intime.